A new camera and software system have been developed to accurately record natural animal-view videos, as reported by Vera Vasas from the University of Sussex, UK, and colleagues from the Hanley Color Lab at George Mason University, US. This innovative system captures moving objects under natural lighting conditions using a novel camera setup, simultaneously recording video in four color channels—blue, green, red, and UV. Tested against traditional spectrophotometry methods, the new system demonstrated an accuracy rate of over 92% in predicting perceived colors.
The introduction of this advanced camera system promises to revolutionize research in animal perception and provide filmmakers with a powerful tool for creating authentic portrayals of the animal kingdom. Built from off-the-shelf cameras housed in a modular, 3D-printed casing, and complemented by open-source software, the system offers accessibility to researchers worldwide, facilitating further development and innovation in the field. Senior author Daniel Hanley emphasized the significance of capturing animal-perceived colors in motion, enabling a deeper understanding of how animals interact with their environment and make critical decisions.
